Anti-Flag, 'The Bright Lights of America' (RCA)

These Pittsburgh agit-punks have always painted their politics with a massively broad brush, which is why they've been able to move to a major label with less underground static than their old Fat Wreck Chords labelmates Against Me! Unfortunately, despite now working with David Bowie producer Tony Visconti, who infuses their angular, system-smashing screeds with timpani ("Good and Ready"), brass ("Shadow of the Dead"), and harmonica ("Go West"), Anti-Flag still don't possess the innate pop sensibility that's allowed Against Me! to make a mainstream move.